2000

The Midget demo (non championship) meeting at Bovingdon provided some good racing and a reasonable field of 14 cars. The programme included 3 twenty lap races.

Heat one saw the early demise of mid runner Allen Herbert as he hit the armco on the back straight just 3 laps into the race, the star drivers taking evasive action as they met up with the stricken car. At the front however Joe Bourn was making the early running chased hard by Eric Walker and Gary Piper. Piper hit the front around mid distance and gradually stretched his lead whilst Bourn came under pressure from Walker. Andrew Hinch looked set for 4th right up to the final lap. As the flag came down on Gary Piper to win seeing Bourn in close second, John Salter & Rob Sayell shot past both Hinch and Walker to take 3rd and 4th Hinch in turn further demoting Walker to 6th on line all 4 cars crossing the line en bloc.

Heat two saw a damper track with a light drizzle coming on as the cars went out to race. Again Joe Bourn lead the early part of the race but Walker was on a charge and ideally placed to take over as Bourn spun out of the lead on lap 9. Andrew Hinch moved up into second but by lap 14 Rob Sayell was closing in as the leader started to lap into the back of the lead. The three cars threaded their way through the pack as the laps came down and Sayell took his chance to nip past Hinch on lap 18 but it was too late to do anything to overhaul Walker who punched the air as he took his first win in the formula at his second meeting. Gary Granger came through some way back for 4th ahead of Steve Piggins with Gary Piper 6th.

The final was wet. Joe Bourn took a flag to flag finish with comparative ease - the car taking to the wet and oily surface like the proverbial duck to water. Andrew Hinch was overtaken on lap 3 by Peter Dorrell now well into his stride with Hinch soon under attack from Eric Walker. 7 laps later Walker passed Hinch and set about tackling Dorrell. Despite many laps of side by side contest Walker had still not managed the task. Just as Dorrell looked a certain runner up he got the car sideways exiting the final bend and as they approached the flag Walker took the place with Dorrell just inches adrift on the line. Gary Jones took 4th, Granger 5th and Hinch 6th.

The drivers liked the circuit and the officials liked both the cars and the racing so it is now hoped that several meetings can be booked for 2001 season... Gary Jones' son and mechanic Paul Jones is trying a Brisca F1 car on November 11th having hired a Frankie Wainman car for a run out... Neil Clarke hopes to have his new car finished in time for the late winter/early spring shows... Steve Summers is buying a Westfield from Andy Collins ready for next year's campaign... Joe Bourn is having a car built for next season and may well run his brother Peter's car if it is not ready in time. Peter is doubtful for next season with work commitments likely to make many meetings impossible.

Heat 1: 1st 66 Gary Piper, 2nd 9 Joe Bourn, 3rd 41 John Salter, 4th 10 Rob Sayell, 5th 21 Andrew Hinch, 6th 43 Eric Walker, 7th 25 Gary Granger, 8th 11 Steve Piggins, 9th 7 Peter Dorrell, 10th 72 Gary Jones, 11th 16 Andrew Bilby, 12th 12 Chris Phillips, 13th 48 Anthony Brewer.

Heat 2 43 Eric Walker 10 Rob Sayell 21 Andrew Hinch 25 Gary Granger 11 Steve Piggins 66 Gary Piper 16 Andrew Bilby 7 Peter Dorrell 72 Gary Jones 48 Anthony Brewer

Final 9 Joe Bourn 43 Eric Walker 7 Peter Dorrell 72 Gary Jones 25 Gary Granger 21 Andrew Hinch 16 Andrew Bilby 11 Steve Piggins 12 Chris Phillips 48 Anthony Brewer